UPDATE: Benchmark Company Reiterates Buy Rating, Raises PT on Nielsen Holdings on Arbitron Merger Delay

In a report published Friday, Benchmark Company analyst Edward J. Atorino reiterated his Buy rating on Nielsen Holdings

, and raised his price target from $36.00 to $38.00. In the report, Atorino noted, “On March 8, AC Nielsen (NLSN-Buy, PT from $36 to $38) announced that it had received a request for additional information and documentary materials (Second Request) from the Federal Trade Commission regarding the proposed merger with Arbitron (ARB-Not Rated). Arbitron also received a Second Request. Nielsen intends to respond expeditiously to the second request and to work cooperatively with the FTC in connection with this review. Also on March 8, Nielsen announced that it had hired an investment bank to seek out potential buyers for Nielsen Expositions, its trade-show business. Nielsen Expositions had $183 million in sales in 2012, with Adjusted EBITDA of $94 million and Operating Income of $66 million, representing 3% of total sales, 8% of adjusted EBITDA, and 6% of operating income.” Nielsen Holdings closed on Thursday at $34.63.